How do you keep calm and enjoy your wedding on a stinking hot summer's day?
These tips will help to make sure you and your guests enjoy your day.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a drier and hotter-than-average summer in Perth, with an increased risk of bushfires and heatwaves.
Perth temperatures are due to be in the forties this weekend.
This list of tips will help you keep your cool and ensure you and your guests enjoy your day.
HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION!
This is a big one. Headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion are some early symptoms of heat stroke. Of all days, you don’t want to experience any of these on your wedding day!
Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day and the night before. Even mild dehydration can make you feel unwell and blur your concentration.
Keeping well hydrated will help you focus and enjoy your ceremony. It will also set you up to enjoy the bubbles later on.
Enjoy the bubbles or beer as you get ready, but make sure every second drink is non-alcoholic. Water is the best option.
Being well-hydrated will also make sure you look fresh, fabulous and photo ready. It is a good idea to make sure you have plenty of water on hand for your photo's too.
Half-fill some water bottles and pop them into the freezer the night before the wedding. Fill them up with water on the day and take them with you. Voila, you've got yourself a chilly drink and a cool pack for the back of your neck.
Prepare them for each member of the bridal party. Or better still – put one of them in charge, so that’s one less thing on your list!
EAT SOMETHING
It’s so easy to get caught up in all the beautifying, zhooshing and photographing to forget to eat before the wedding.
Big mistake! No one wants to be ‘hangry’ on their wedding day, so do yourself a favour and feed your body to keep your energy levels up and ensure you are good to party on.
Make sure you have some fruit, veggies, dip, cheese and crackers to snack on while you get ready.
DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN
Even if your ceremony is going to be in the shade, you are likely to be in and out of the sun for throughout the day. You want everyone to glow with joy and love at your wedding and reception, not appear blazing red with prickly, uncomfortable sunburn.
White umbrellas for the wedding party and VIP guests are great in the hot sun, or in a summer shower of rain. You can buy or hire them to keep costs down.
PLAN FOR SUCCESS
If you’re getting married in the hotter months, plan your ceremony for late afternoon. The heat can be pretty brutal at 3 pm!
Plan to have your ceremony about two and a half hours before sunset will make the day cooler. It will also give you plenty of good light for your photos.
Choose a shady spot for your ceremony and arrange the seating, so no one is looking directly into the sun. That goes for the wedding party and the guests.
Pack a hand towel especially if you are wearing a suit or a heavy dress with lots of fabric or gorgeous beading. Just before the ceremony, dab your forehead, upper lip neck, arms and hands – and don’t forget that ring finger!
Even better than a regular hand towel is a chiller towel. Soak the chiller towel, wring it out so it doesn’t drip and pack it into a plastic bag. Give it a few quick flicks before the ceremony and hey presto – a reaction causes the towel to chill down. Magic on a hot day.
Wear a singlet. It might seem a bit ‘grandpa’, but he knew his stuff. A singlet that gives you an extra layer on a hot day might sound counter-intuitive, but it works. Singlets soak up sweat and help keep you cool. They also prevent your shirt from uncomfortably clinging and showing nasty sweat marks. There is a reason Chesty Bonds is an Aussie icon.
Stay cool before the ceremony by hanging your jackets over the back of a chair until the last minute.
Chill out in a shady spot (or air-conditioning) if you can before the ceremony.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Heat and humidity can make your hair frizzy or flat, messy and clingy. Consider a cool stylish undo for the day.
Make sure you use a good primer under your makeup to make sure it lasts. Pack your lipstick so that you can freshen your look during the day.
If you are wearing a veil, make sure you lift it as soon as you reach the ceremony area to allow any breeze to cool and freshen you.
DURING THE CEREMONY
If you do start to stay faint during the ceremony, get a bit of a wriggle on. Wriggle your toes and squeeze your calf muscles a few times. No-one will know you’re doing it, and it can be enough to get the blood moving and stave off a fainting episode.
If that doesn’t do the trick, don’t be afraid to ask for a drink of water or a moment to sit with your head down. Much better than collapsing in an unceremonious heap! If you don't believe me, have a look at YouTube videos of people who have fainted during a ceremony.
MAKING THE DAY FOR YOUR GUESTS
Being late for the ceremony is not a thing. Ever. Try to be on time on a hot day, as your guests will be languishing in the heat waiting for you.
Set guest chairs a bit further apart instead of close together. Allow your guests a little extra room to breathe. They will be grateful for having more room and not being jammed shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh on a hot day.
Have cold water and little fans available for your guests. The fans make a lovely, practical wedding favour.
Insect repellent is also a great thing. In some places, avoiding annoying mozzie bites and having to swat flies away is essential. It may be the great Aussie wave, but not for your wedding pics!
Did I mention, don’t be late?
COOL TECH
If you’re using a phone or tablet to play music for your ceremony, make sure it’s not sitting in full sun. Most devices will shut down when they overheat.
Regardless of the weather, have a backup plan, with your playlist ready to go on another device.
I hope these tips help to make your day awesome. I would love to hear if you have any other great tips to share with other couples in the comments below.